Tractor drawn plow



Sept. 7, 1954 J. H. STARR TRACTOR DRAwN PLow s Smets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 25. 1948 IN VEN TOR.

Sept. 7, 1954 H STARR 2,688,282 V TRACTOR DRAWN PLOW Filed Oct. 25. l948` 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

v IN VEN TOR. l JOHN H. STARR Sept- 7, 1954 J. H. STARR 2,688,282

l TRACTOR DRAWN PLOW Filed Oct. 25, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR.

JOHN H. STARR Patented Sept. 7, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE TRACTOR DRAWN PLOW Application October 25, 1948, Serial No. 56,376

(Cl. irl-46.93)

12 claims. 1

This application is a continuation-in-part of myl co-pending application, Serial No. 713,340, led November 30, 1946, now Patent No. 2,626,551.

The present invention relates generally to agrlcultural implements and more particularly to implements that are adapted to be mounted on a tractor to be propelled thereby.

The object and general nature oi the present invention is the provision of an integral or tractor mounted implement having a draft transmitting connection with the tractor which provides for a limited amount of generally fore and aft movement of the implement relative to the tractor, and new and improved hitch means acting between the forward pom'rtion of the implement and the tractor to accommodate the aforesaid relative. movement but preventing or limiting 1 generally vertical movement of the front portion of the implement relative tothe tractor. Additionally, it is an important feature of this invention to provide new and improved hitch means and draft means interconnecting the implement with the tractor whereby the draft-transmitting means is connected with the implement rearwardly of the front end thereof and is so constructed and arranged as to accommodate relative fore and aft movement between the implement and the tractor, in connection with the hitch means connecting the front end of the implement with the tractor and cooperating with the draft means so as to prevent vertical movement of the front end of the implement relative to the tractor while accommodating the aforesaid relative movement. Still further, another feature oi this invention is the provision of new a-nd improved hitch means which not only accommodates the fore and aft movement of the implement relative to the tractor, but also is so constructed and arranged to facilitate the attachment of the implement to the tractor whereby the connection and disconnection of the implement may easily and quickly be accomplished.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailedl description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: f

Figure 1 is a side view of the rear portion of a tractor mounted iield cultivator in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated.

Figure-2 is another form of the' present invention in which the front endf ofthe implement frame is supported for sliding` movement on the forward part of the draft connection extending between a generally intermediate portion of the implement and the tractor.

Figure 3` is a partial plan view, showing the forward portion of the implement and corresponding generally to a section taken along t e line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View, taken generally along the line 6 4' of Figure 3.

Referring now first to Figure l, in which one form of the present invention has been illustrated, the tractor on which the implement is mounted is largely conventional, so far as the present invention is concerned, and is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral i. The tractor i incorporates a frame 2 supported on a pair of closely spaced front wheels (not shown) and relatively widely spaced rear traction wheels Il` Xed tothe outer ends of laterally outwardly extending axles 5. The tractor l includes a motor 'i' from which power is derived for operating a power lift, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral lil. The power lift l0 preferably includes a transverse power lift rockshaft l l, the power lift being controlled by any suitable means, such as a valve unit including a valve-operating lever I3; A pair of power lift arms lli are xedby any suitable means to the laterally outer ends of the power lift rockshaft l l.

The implement in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated as disclosed in Figure l is a `spring tooth eld cultivator indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 21B. The cultivator 2U incorporates a frame 2l which is made up of right and left hand generally longitudinally extending frame bars 22 and 243 to the rear upwardly extending portions of which are secured iront and rear transversely extending frame angles 24 and 25 which may be welded or bolted, as desired, to the rear upwardly angled portions of the longitudinal frame bars 22 and 23. A pair of strap members 28 are bolted or otherwise secured to the front ends of the longitudinal frame angles 22 and 23, and the forward ends of the strap members 28 are apertured' to receive pivot members 3i. The pivot members are carried by a swinging link hitch structure indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 35. The Structure 35 comprises right and left hand angled strap members 3S, the lower end portions of which diverge outwardly and downwardly. The strap members are apertured to receive the pivot members 3l. The swinging hitch structure 35 is pivotally connected to the tractor frame 2 by means oi pivot pins M.

'I'he implement 20 includes three rows of spring teeth 60 which are mounted on drag bars 1|. Spring pressure rods 13 normally urge the drag bars downwardly. The forward ends of the frame bars 22 and 23 are connected together by suitable cross braces (not shown). The swinging link hitch structure 35 permits the implement frame 2| to shift generally fore and aft, but the front end of the implement is held against any substantial amount of generally vertical movement.

A pair of draft transmitting, generally fore and aft extending links |3l are adjustably connected, as at |32, to the lower ends of draft brackets |33 that are fixed to the sides of the tractor frame in any suitable way. The rear end of each of the draft links |3| is connected by a chain section |36 to an associated cam member |31 which is mounted for rocking movement on the associated tool frame member. Each cam member |31 includes an outer cam section |39 and an inner cam section |4| rigidly fastened together, as by a shaft section |42 or the like. The rear end of the draft chain |36 is fastened by a pin |43 or the like to a lug |44 that forms a part of the cam section |4|. A lifting chain |46 extends upwardly from each of the outer cam sections |39 and passes over a pulley |41 carried at the outer end of the associated power lift arm I4. The forward end of the lifting chain |46 extends forwardly of the associated power lift arm I4 and connected to the tractor by a hook member |48 or other suitable means.

In this form of the invention, the draft pull is balanced against the weight of the rear end of the implement and the suction of the tools, variation in any of these factors causing' the cam members |31 to rock to bring the forces into equilibrium. Such rocking movement causes a fore and aft shifting of the implement relative to the tractor, which is accommodated by the swinging of the links 36, but the links 36 hold the front end of the implement against vertical movement.

A further modified form of the present invention is shown in Figures 2 et seq. In this form of the invention the implement frame is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral |50 and comprises right and left hand frame bars |5| and 52, the rear ends of which are bent upwardly and rearwardly to receive cultivator tools and associated frame members, which may be of substantially the same construction as shown in Figure 1. The rear portion of each frame bar carries a rockably mounted cam member |55, which may be substantially the same as the cam members |31 described above. Briefly, each cam member includes an outer section |56 and an inner section |51 rigidly interconnected by any suitable means. Each of the outer cam sections |56 carries a draft chain |6|, which is xed to the associated cam section by a pin |62 or the like. The forward end of the chain |6| is connected to a draft link |63 which at its forward end is connected to the tractor as will be described below. The other cam section |51 of each cam member receives and has fixed thereto the lower end of a lifting chain |66, the upper end of which is trained over a pulley or sheave |61 fixed to a lifting arm |68 that is carried by the power lift rockshaft The forward end of each chain |66 extends forwardly from the sheave or pulley |61, underneath the rear axle housing and is connected to an anchoring hook member |69.

The forward end of each of the draft links |63 is screw threaded and carries a pair of lock nuts |1| which fasten a clevis |12 thereto. The forward end of each of the clevises |12 is connected by a pin |13 to a transverse bar |14 which forms a part of a generally U-shaped horizontally disposed generally fore-and-aft extending draft memer |15. The forwardly extending portions or side arms are formed by bars |16 and |11 which are pivotally connected, as by pins |19, to right and left hand draft brackets |8| bolted, as at |82, to the sides of the tractor. Preferably, the lower end of each of the draft brackets |8| is provided with a vertically disposed bracket or lug |85, the upper and lower portions |86 and |81 of which are welded to the side of the associated draft bracket and the central section of which is apertured, as at |88, in line with an aperture |89 formed in the draft bracket, the apertures |88 and |89 receiving the associated pivot pin |19, which is held in place by a quick detachable fastener |9 I. The chains |6| and links |63 constitute a draft connection or draft-transmitting means extending between the rear end of the draft member |15 and the implement frame |50.

The forward end of the implement frame |50 is supported in normal operation on the side members |16 and |11 of the U-shaped draft member |15, and to this end the forward ends of the frame angles 5| and |52 are interconnected by a transversely disposed U-shaped angle on which a pair of U-shaped members in the form of slides |96 are fixed, as by welding. As best shown in Figure 2, the slides |96 form foreand-aft shiftable parts that receive the side bars |16 and |11 so as to accommodate fore and aft shifting of the implement relative to the tractor. By virtue of the transverse member |95 being engageable with the rear edges of the brackets |8|, the frame |50 is prevented from shifting too far forwardly relative to the tractor.

It will be understood that in this form of the invention the draft transmitted through the links |6|, |63 and associated parts normally holds the member |15 in a horizontal position while accommodating the shifting of the implement in a fore and aft direction as the cam members |55 rock in one direction or the other to maintain the draft and lifting forces in equilibrium. The bar |14 overlies the frame angles |5| and |52, and therefore when the draft forces transmitted by the links |6I, |63 slacken off, the weight of the front end of the implement is still supported by the slides |96 on the side arms |16 and |11 of the member 15, yet the latter, being pivotally connected to the brackets |8|, accommodate any vertical movement of the rear end of the implement and also its fore and aft shifting, as mentioned above.

The implement shown in Figures 2 et seq. is especially adapted for quick attachment to and disconnection from the tractor. To disconnect the implement, all that the operator has to do is to unhook the chains |66 from the hooks |69 and remove the fasteners |9| and take out the pins |19. The tractor may then be driven away from the implement. In reconnecting the implement to the tractor, the operator raises the front end of the implement into such position that the front ends of the side bars |15 and |11 may be shifted into the lugs |85. This provides a support for the front end of the implement even though the pins |19 are not in place. It is therefore a relatively simple matter to connect the front end of the implement to the brackacsfasse ets Il since all that the operator has to do is to shift the bars H6 and I'Tl in the lugs IBS* until the opening Hi8 in each bar' HT comes into registri7 with the openings Hitl and |89, whereupon the pins I'ii may be inserted. It is not necessaryfor the operator to manually holdA up the front end of the implement at the same time he brings the openings 198 inA the front end members into alignment with the bracket openings to insert the hitch pin.

While I have shown and described above the preferred structure in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the particular details, shown and described above, but that, in effect, widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an agricultural implement ofthe type adapted to be connected with a propelling tractor, hitch means for connecting the implement to theA tractor, comprising a pair of draft brackets attached to the forward portion of the tractor, draft means connected between said draft brackets and the implement rearwardly of the front end thereof and including relatively movable parts, accommodating a limited amount of generally fore and aft movement of the implement relative to the tractor, and a pair of generally fore-and-aft extending members connected at their forward ends with saidbrackets, and means providing a sliding connection between the front portion of the implement and said members accommodating said relative movement but limiting the generally vertical movement of the front portion of the implement relative to the tractor.

2. In an agricultural implement adapted to be connected with a tractor to be propelled thereby, implement frame means disposed generally along the tractor and extending in a fore and aft direction, a bar disposed in a fore and aft extending position alongside the front portion of said frame means and having its front end pivoted to a forward portion of the tractor, means slidably connecting the front end of said frame means with said bar, draft transmitting means extending along said implement frame means and connected at its forward end with the rear portion of said bar, means for connecting the rear end of said draft-transmitting means with the rear portion of the tractor, and means on the rear portion of said frame means receiving said draft-transmitting means and transmitting the reaction thereof tothe rear portion of said frame means.v

3. In an agricultural implement adapted to be connected with a tractor to be propelled thereby, implement frame means disposed generally along the tractor and extending in a fore and aft direction, said frame means including laterally spaced apart frame members and a cross member connected to the forward end portions of said frame members, a forward draft-transmitting member including side portions extending forwardly alongside the front portions of said frame members and adapted to be connected at their front ends with a tractor, means on the cross member slidably receiving said side portions, a rear draft-transmitting means extending along said frame members for connecting the rear portion of said forward draft-transmitting member with the tractor, and means on the rear portion of said frame means for movably supporting the rear end thereofl on said draft-transmitting means.

4. Means for connecting the frame meansof' draft transmitting means connecting the implement frame means with the rear end of said U-shaped member for limited movement relative thereto in a fore and aft direction.

5. Means for connecting the frame means of an' implement to a tractor, comprising a pair of depending brackets attachable to the sides of the tractor in depending relation, a generally horizontally disposed U-shaped member having forward ends pivoted to the lower ends of said brackets, slides mounted on the forward portion of said frame means and engaging and supported on the arm portions of said U-shaped member, the rear portion of the latter overlying the adjacent portions of said frame means, a pair of generally fore-and-aft extending links connected at their forward ends to the rear portion of said U-shaped member, and means connecting the rear ends of said links with said implement frame means and providing for limited movement of the latter relativeto the tractor.

6. Connecting means as set forth in claim 5, further characterized by lugs carried by said brackets for supporting the forward ends of said U-shaped member to facilitate pivotally connecting said ends to said brackets.

'7. Means for connecting the frame means of an implement to a tractor, comprising a pair of depending brackets attachable to the sides of the tractor in depending relation, a generally horizontally disposed U-shaped member having forwardly extending apertured ends, lug means at the lower ends of said brackets, each of said lug means including a portion underlying the associated end of the U-shaped member and a portion lying alongside said end, the latter portion being apertured, said lug means being thereby adapted to receive and support the forward ends of said U-shaped member, detachable pivots insertable through the apertures in said lug means and the forward ends of said U-shaped member when the latter is supported onsaid lug means and said apertures are in registry, and means shiftably connecting said U-shaped member with the implement frame means.

8. An agricultural implement adapted to be connected to a tractor to be propelled thereby, comprising a generally fore-and-aft extending tool frame including a pair of laterally spaced frame bars and a crossbar connecting the forward ends of said frame bars, means for connecting said tool frame with the tractor for generally fore-and-aft shifting movement including a pair of brackets attachable to the sides of the tractor, the erossbar of said frame being engageable with the rear edges of said attaching brackets for limiting the forward movement of said frame relative to the tractor, and draft means connecting said tool frame and the tractor and accommodating said fore-and-aft movement of the tool frame relative to the tractor.

9. Means for connecting the frame means of an implement to a tractor, said frame means having a forward portion, comprising a pair of depending brackets attachable to the sides of the tractor' in depending relation, a generally horizontally disposed part having a rear portion and forward ends pivoted to the lower ends of said brackets, slides mounted on the forward portion of said frame means and engaging and supported on said part, the rear portion of the latter overlying the adjacent portions of said frame means, and draft-transmitting means connecting the implement frame means with the rear portion of said part for limited movement relative thereto in a fore-and-af't direction.

10, The invention set forth in claim 9, further characterized by means on the forward portion of said implement frame means and engageable with said brackets for limiting the forward movement of said frame means relative to said brackets.

11. The invention set forth in claim 9, further characterized by a crossbar connected with the frame means and carrying said slides, said crossbar being engageable with said brackets `for limiting the forward movement of said frame means relative to said brackets.

12. In an agricultural implement of the type adapted to be connected with a propelling tractor, hitch means for connecting the implement to the tractor, comprising a draft bracket attachable to the tractor, means swingably connecting the front end of the implement with the draft bracket for generally Vertical movement, said connecting means including relatively movable parts accommodating a limited amount of generally fore-and-aft movement of the implement relative to the tractor, but limiting the generally vertical movement of the front end of the implement relative to the tractor, and a draft transmitting connection extending from the rear portion of the implement forwardly to said draft bracket and pivotally connected with the latter so as to swing with the implement about a transverse axis relative to said bracket.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,368,631 Blalock Feb. 6, 1945 2,462,641 Hyland Feb. 22, 1949 2,586,919 Court Feb. 26, 1952 

